What You Need To Know About Multiple Sclerosis

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. The immune system wrongly attacks the myelin sheath – a fatty material that protects and covers the nerves of the Central Nervous System. The action of the immune system causes inflammation and scarring that prevents the passage of signals from the brain by to other parts of the body. This eventually leads to a variety of challenges, including some related to mobility. Worldwide, approximately 2.1 million people are affected by MS.

There are four main types:

RRMS is the most common, occurring in around 85% of patients with an initial onset of symptoms sometime between a patient’s 20th or 30th birthdays.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of MS differ from person to person. Depending on the extent of damage to the nerves, some people have occasional relapses while others experience severe progressive of symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

Causes and Risk Factors

There is active research into the exact cause of MS, but it is still unknown. However, researchers have uncovered risk factors that may contribute to the development of the disease. These include:

Genetics: MS is not hereditary, but researchers believe there is an increased risk for family members if another family member has a diagnosis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection: EBV is a herpesvirus that causes mononucleosis. Studies show that there is a higher chance of developing MS in people who previously had infectious mononucleosis.

Vitamin D and Ultraviolet light exposure: Sunlight and Vitamin D deficiency may been linked to higher instances of MS. This could potentially explain why countries in the northern hemisphere have a higher MS burden than those close to the equator.

Obesity: Several studies have shown that obesity in adolescence and early adulthood could lead to both pediatric and adult-onset MS.

Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing MS and worsens the prognosis of disease progression.

Treatment Options

There is currently no cure for MS, however, there are a variety of treatment options that can help slow down the course of the disease and control symptoms. These include:

Disease-Modifying Therapy (DMT): These drugs can help prevent permanent damage, slow-down the progression of the disease and reduce the rate of relapses. However, DMTs don’t generally address everyday symptoms.

Steroids: To treat flare-ups or serious MS attacks, doctors may prescribe steroids. These reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, though they do not change the progression of the disease.

Rehabilitation: A huge part of MS treatment is rehabilitation in the area of cognitive abilities and mobility. Doctors encourage physical therapy and activity to improve strength and fitness.

Symptomatic treatment: Symptoms of MS can affect proper bodily functions so drugs can be administered to specifically treat them. For example, Amantadine may be used to treat fatigue and muscle relaxants may be used to help with pain and spasms.

MS may not yet have a cure, but improved treatment options increase the life expectancy of MS patients, allow a reduction in disease progression, treat debilitating symptoms, and provide a better quality of life. However, as with many diseases, outcomes improve the earlier MS is diagnosed and treatment begins. If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately.